The "Groove Merchant" offers the warm embrace of his authentic, soulful grooves that captivate and intoxicate. A San Francisco Bay Area legend, this seasoned artist offers authentic soul blended with serious funk, soul-stirring blues, along with sweet and mellow, smooth jazz.

Larry Vann's Biography

Larry Vann has made an impressive mark on the Bay Area music scene over the years and one listen to his music clearly demonstrates why he has been in such huge demand for sessions & tours with the likes of Elvin Bishop and Merl Saunders. His top-notch drumming and percussion has garnered him popular and critical success throughout the United States and Europe, and Vann has also wowed critics and crowds alike with his sultry singing voice, buoyed by his melodic, inventive songwriting.

A professional performer since age 15, Vann draws from a deep well of musical influence, including gospel, blues, funk, jazz and soul. These various genres have collectively shared his unique sound, which is in full display on this CD.

Vann's resume' reads like a "Who's Who" list, having toured and recorded with those musicians listed above, as well as THE WHISPERS, MARTHA REEVES, THE MARVALETTES, CHARLES BROWN, BUFFY SAINT-MARIE, RANDY CRAWFORD and many more. His work with the popular San Francisco Bay Area blues group, RON THOMPSON & THE RESISTORS contributed to the band earning two Bay Area Music Awards.

His impressive career also includes a motion picture role as a nightclub band member in the Academy Award nominated "Peggy Sue Got Married" and being featured on the ABC Television San Francisco local affiliate, KGO for his work with GRAMMY In The Schools as a mentor and instructor. World tours with jazz pianist, BRIAN AUGER and blues harp legend CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE round out a phenomenal career in music making.

Vann's honors and awards include:

• The Blues Society's West Coast Hall of Fame, "Blues Drummer of the Year " award
• The Jazz Institute's "Man of the Year" award

He was also honored to serve as a Governor on the governing board of the San Francisco chapter of The Recording Academy® (GRAMMY).